Circular knitting machine



Sept. 6,

M. R. BRYANT CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1958 FIG. 2

f INVENTOR.

Murvln R. Brycm' AT'CORNEY United States Patent CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Marvin R. Bryant, P.0. Box 867, High Point, NC.

Filed Dec. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 779,988

27 Claims. (Cl. 66-8) The present invention relates to circular knitting machines and relates more particularly to a means whereby a standard knitting machine having a single size needle cylinder for producing a given size circular knit fabric may be modified by substitution of certain components to produce a circular knit fabric having circumferential dimensions greater or less than the given size fabric normally knit on the single size needle cylinder.

Manufacturers of circular knit products, particularly half-hose, mens, boys and childrens, are invariably desirous of increasing or decreasing the diameter of the knitted fabric depending upon the yarn count, the desired stretchability of the knitted fabric, and theconstruction of the knitted fabric, among other objectives and reasons. However, in order to obtain a different flat width or different circumferential dimension or diameter of the tubular fabric, it is necessary to substitute a needle cylinder of the desired diameter and by so doing virtually completely rebuild the knitting machine which is not only costly but very time consuming for each change.

Several ways of modifying the knitting machine and the method of knitting have been devised. in order to produce hosiery in a wide variety of properly proportioned sizes with uniformity of fabric over the requisite range from infants to mens sizes. These modifications must take into consideration the wide range of sizes, the types and weights of yarn to be used in the knitting, the broad range of variations in the circumferential proportions and the types of needles and cylinders which are to be used. As disclosed in US. Patent Nos. 2,348,313 and 2,625,807 there has been a recognition of the problems enumerated above, however, the attention given this problem has been primarily directed to modify the stitch formation by changing the needles and sinkers or by modifying the number of needles in the needle cylinder so as to obtain the desired different circumferential dimensions. In each instance the versatility of the machine that is modified is still limited to produce the single diameter fabric despite the costly machine component changes that have been made.

It is contemplated by this inventive concept to provide a standard circular knitting machine which has mounted therein a conventional needle cylinder having independent needles moving in vertical slots with a means for increasing or decreasing the circumferential dimensions of the knitted fabric by maintaining the same needle cylinder size without modifying the slots or the number of needles in the cylinder.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a sinker ring capable of being mounted on a needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine which cylinder is a standard size for the machine as originally manufactured and the sinker ring is of'a difierent diameter size to adapt the machine for producing a fabric of increased or decreased circumferential dimensions relative to that capable of being knit with a sinker ring adapted originally for use with the standard size needle cylinder.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a circular knitting machine having in combination with a fixed diameter needle cylinder, an inner sinker ring and an outer sinker ring for knitting circular knit fabric of greater or lesser circumferential dimensions than fabric normally capable of being knit with the fixed diameter needle cylinder.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a circular knitting machine with an inner sinker ring having an external diameter dilferent from the external diameter of, a conventional sinker ring for a standard size needle cylinder to knit a fabric of different diameter than is capable of being knit using the standard size needle cylinder, and also provides knitting needles which cooperate with the standard size needle cylinder and the different diameter inner sinker ring.

Another objective of this invention is to provide cooperating inner sinker ring and outer sinker ring components for a standard size needle cylinder for a circular knitting machine in which the sinker rings are adapted to be mounted on a fixed diameter needle cylinder to knit a seamless fabric distinguishable from that which may be knit on the fixed diameter cylinder.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a means whereby a standard circular knitting machine having a predetermined diameter needle cylinder may be adapted to knit a range of fabric having diameters greater than or less than that which may be knit on the predetermined diameter needle cylinder.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent to one skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood from the following detailed description of the basic components necessary for modifying a standard circular knitting machine needle cylinder taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

Fig. 1 is a vertical partial sectional view taken through the needle cylinder and related cooperating components of an independent needle circular knitting machine for knitting seamless fabric and illustrating a conventional arrangement with a fixed diameter revolving cylinder;

Fig. 2 is a vertical partial sectional view through the needle cylinder similar to Fig. =1 and illustrating one embodiment of the inventive concept applicable to the needle cylinder for knitting a fabric of reduced circumferential dimensions; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical partial sectional view taken through the needle cylinder similar to Figs. 1 and 2 and illustrating a second embodiment of the inventive concept applicable to the needle cylinder diameter of Figs. 1 and 2 for knitting a fabric of increased circumferential dimensions over that capable of being knit by the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1 there is shown a well known and conventional relationship of circular knitting machine components which components are removed from the environment and framework of a circular knitting machine as the construction thereof and the relationship of the shown components to the other components not shown are well known in the art, and therefore, are not deemed to be essential for a clear and comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the present invention. The revolvable needle cylinder 10 is of a modified construction containing a circle of independent latch-type knitting needles 11 which are independently vertically supported about the periphery of the cylinder 10 in guides or needle slots 12 that are milled along cylindrical elements of the needle cylinder. The inner and upper portion of the Patented Sept. 6, 1960,

wall 13 of the cylinder is machined to provide a cavity or inner sinker ring-receiving cylindrical recess 14 for the reception of the inner sinker ring 15 therein. The inner sinker ring 15 is provided with conventional radial sinker recesses and needle, slots (not shown),for receiving the independently movable sinkers lfi and needles 11:. Radial movement of the sinke rs 16 is effectuated by means of the conventional sinker cap (not shown) which carries the conventional cams for acting upon the butts 17 of the sinkers 16. T

In the assembly shown in Fig. 1, the outer sinker ring 18 is recessed on the inner periphery to provide a shoulder 19 for supporting the ring 18 on the projecting circumferential shoulder 20 that extends substantially from the needle cylinder for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The outer sinker ring 18 is milled to provide radial slots (not shown) cooperatively related to the slots in the inner sinker ring 15 to guidably support the sinkers 16 in radial movement. The inner sinker ring 15 may be securely fastened within the needle cylinder recess 14 by any suitable detachable retaining means such as a threaded connection, screws or a press fit.

The circumferential shoulder 29 which protrudes from the needle cylinder and formed preferably integral therewith is vertically slotted similar to, communicating with, and a continuation of the needle slots 12 in the basic cylinder 10. The Walls formed by the slots in the shoulder 29 provide needle guide and support to be described hereinafter for one of the embodiments in addition to supporting the outer ring 18.

lthough the present invention will be described for knitting stockings or half-hose, it is not contemplated that the invention is to be restricted or limited to this application since larger circular knitting machines for knitting tubular fabric may be similarly adapted. For the purposes of simplicity and clarity of understanding in this specification, the needle cylinder 10 shall be referred to as a 3 /2 inch diameter cylinder which will normally knit a fabric corresponding to this diameter cylinder and will be the standard cylinder equipped for the knitting machine with the requisite other operative components. However, it will be readily understood that the invention is applicable to needle cylinders of other diameters and reference to this diameter is not intended for any limitation. It is very desirable to be able to obtain a fabric with circumferential dimensions greater than that capable of being knit with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 without completely rebuilding the knitting machine either for a fabric of increased or decreased dimensions. In Fig. 2 there is shown a needle cylinder 21 substantially similar to needle cylinder 10 of Fig. 1 but the cylinder has been modified by providing an inclined slotted recess 22 in the upper portion which communicates with the needle guides or slots 23 provided in the needle cylinder, however, all the other structural details of the cylinder 21 may be similar to the one illustrated in Fig. l. The recesses 22 extend adjacent to the terminal portion of the needle slots 23 in the periphery of the cylinder to accommodate an inwardly inclined offset 24 placed in each of the knitting needles 25 intermediate the latch needle portion 26 and the butt end portion 27. The circumferentially extending shoulder 28 is slotted with the slots formed therein communicating with the needle slots 23. The inner sinker ring 29 is mounted in the needle cylinder recess 30 at the top of the cylinder with the external diameter 31 of the upper portion of the inner sinker ring 29 having a diameter that is less than the external diameter of the ring 15 of Fig. '1. The ofiset needles 25 cooperate with the sinkers 32 which are advanced inward radially for knitting a smaller diameter fabric in conjunction with the smaller diameter sinker ring 29 than may be knit employing an inner sinker ring having a diameter equal to that of the needle cylinder as iILFig'. 1. I i r As will be readily apparent, the sinkers 32 may be of the same size for knitting the reduced diameter fabric as employed in the set-up shown in Fig. 1. However, an outer sinker ring 34 must be provided which will reach inwardly a greater extent as distinguishablefrom the outer sinker ring18 of Fig. 1, to compensate for the reduced diameter of the inner sinker ring and the same body length of the sinkers. For some changeovers, the sinker gage maybe modified. as well as theoverall length. By having paired or matched inner and outer sinker rings, a changeover may be readily accomplished without considerable modification being made to the needle cylinder or providing additional components; It will be appreciated that the outer sinker ring that is supported on the shoulder 28 that is slotted as in Fig. 1 may be supported in some other manner on a standard needle cylinder by providing a projecting arm or some other means for support.

In reducing the diameter of the knitted fabric by furnishing an inner sinker ring of a reduced diameter, the outer diameter of the ring may be reduced in increments of to /2 depending upon the desired circumferential dimensions of the fabric to be knit. Obviously for each sinker ring change, the needles must be correspondingly offset so that the gap or distance between the larger cylinder diameter and the smaller ring diameter will be bridged by the offset reach at the intermediate portion of the needles. The inner and outer sinkerrings 29 and 34 are provided with the conventional sinker and needle slots.

A further embodiment of the present inventive concept is shown in Fig. 3 wherein the needle cylinder 40 is of a substantially conventional construction having a standard diameter for a circular knitting machine and is machined at the upper end 4-1 thereof to form an inner sinker ring recess 42 for the reception of the inner sinker ring 43 therein. Sinker ring 43 has an enlarged outer diameter 44 which reaches circumferentially about the needle cylinder to the desired new knitted fabric diameter that is greater than the diameter of the needle cylinder 40. This enlarged sinker ring 43 graduates the needle cylinder from 3 /2 inches in diameter to 4 inches in diameter, with the ability to increase the circumferential dimensions of the knitted fabric. An outer sinker ring 45 is supported on the circumferential shoulder portion 46 extending from the cylinder which engages the annular rim 47 on the outer ring 45. The outer ring 45 is provided with radial slots to receive the sinkers 48 for radial movement within the limits of sinker movement. Depending upon the diameter increase over the needle cylinder, the gage of the sinkers may be increased proportionally to avoid sinker distortion.

The latch needles 50 have a butt end portion 51 vertically slidable and frictionally retained within the slots 52 of a needle cylinder and the latch ends 53 of the needle are positioned in juxtaposition to the enlarged diameter of the sinker ring 43 so as to be slidably retained in the vertical needle notches or slots 54 therein. Each of the needles 50 is provided with anoifset 55 that is outwardly inclined to extend the latch portion of the needles to the desired sinker ring position to cooperate with the sinkers for the increased diameter of the knitted fabric.

Support and guidance for the needle offset 55 which ex-' tends beyond the periphery of the cylinder is provided by the slotted circumferential shoulder 46.

It vw'll be readily apparent that various means may be provided for supporting theouter sinker ring in cooperative relation to the cylinder and the inner sinker ring and only one such means is illustrated. Furthermore, the needles employed may be of such construction as to eliminate a substantial portion of the circumferential shoulder 46.

For the purposes of this specification, the term first diameter or",standard needle cylinder shall refer to a needle cylinder that is normally provided or used with the machine or one having a comparable diameter so as to employ the other knitting instrument-alities in the knitting machine without rebuilding the knitting machine to accommodate a different diameter needle cylinder.

Wherever reference is made to the inner sinker ring it is intended to refer to a sinker ring having the conventional radial and vertical or peripheral needle receiving or supporting slots for reception of sinkers and needles with the circumferential periphery of the sinker ring cooperating tially governed by the inner sinker ring external diameter.

Obviously many modifications and variations may be sinker rings to achieve the increased or decreased fabric l diameters to be produced by utilizing a single size needle cylinder Without departing from the real purpose and spirit of this inventive concept. It is, therefore, contemplated that many modifications and variations may be made in the construction of the component parts as well as the use of mechanical equivalents to achieve the ultimate objective without departing from the real spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with needle-receiving slots circumferentially spaced about the periphery thereof, independently movable latch needles in said slots and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, an inner sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder and having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder, an outer sinker ring having a cooperatively dimensioned diameter for concentric mounting in spaced relation to the inner sinker ring and supported on the needle cylinder, said inner and outer sinker rings supporting the sinkers for radial move- "ment, and said needles having an offset to cooperate with the sinkers slidably supported for radial movement in the sinker rings.

2. In a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with needle-receiving slots circumferentially spaced about the periphery thereof, independently movable latch needles in said slots and independently movable sinkers cooperating With the needles for the formation of stitches,

' an inner sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder with circumferentially spaced sinker receiving radial slots and needle supporting slots therein, said needles having a lower portion slidably supported in the cylinder slots and an upper portion offset from the lower portion to be guidably supportedin the inder with a first diameter and having needle-receiving slots circumferentially spaced about the periphery there- .of, independently movable latch needles in said slots and independently movable sinkers supported in spaced cooperative relationship to the needles for the formation of stitches, an inner sinker ring and an outer sinker ring for supporting said sinkers for radial movement, said sinker rings being concentrically mounted on the needle cylinder and in spaced sinker guiding relationship with each other, said inner sinker ring at least having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder, said needles being offset to be guidably supported by and to cooperate with the inner sinker ring to knit a circular fabric corresponding to the diameter of the inner sinker ring external diameter.

4. In a circular knitting machine, independently movable latch needles and sinkers cooperatively related, a

slotted needle cylinder for slidable reception of the needles, said cylinder having a first diameter, an inner made to the needle cylinder, the needles, sinkers and the sinker ring detachably mounted on the cylinder and having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder and radially slotted for reception of the sinkers therein, said inner ring having needle supporting slots about the periphery thereof, said needles being offset intermediate the length thereof and each needle reaching to cooperate with the sinkers and be guidably supported by the inner sinker ring.

5. 'In a circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle guiding grooves about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of a first external diameter, and an inner sinker ring and an outer sinker 'ring mounted on the needle cylinder in spaced concentric relation to receive and support the sinkers for radial movement, said inner sin'ker ring having an external diameter distinguishable vfrom the cylinder external diameter, and means for guidably supporting a needle reaching between the needle cylinder to the external diameter of the inner sinker ring.

6. In a circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle guiding slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder having a first external diameter, an inner sinker ring and an outer sinker ring detachably mounted on the needle cylinder, said inner sinker ring having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder for reception of the sinkers for radial movement, said needles having butt-carrying portions receivable in the guiding slots of the cylinder and a latch-carrying portion in the same longitudinal plane with the butt-carrying portion, said latch-carrying portion being offset radially intermediate .the butt and latch-carrying portions, the latch-carrying portion reaching to cooperate for guidable support with the inner sinker ring.

7. Ina circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of one external diameter, an inner sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder, said ring having a periphery with an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder to produce a fabric having a diameter distinguishable from that which may be knit using a sinker ring having the same external diameter as the external diameter of the cylinder, and means on the inner sinker .same diameter as the needle cylinder.

9. In a circular knitting machine as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the external diameter of the inner sinker ring is greater than the external diameter of the needle cylinder to knit a fabric having a larger diameter than that of a fabric knit with an inner sinker ring of the same diameter as the needle cylinder.

10. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder having a first external diameter, and an inner sinker ring having a different external diameter than the external diameter of the needle cylinder mounted on the cylinder, a latch needle having a butt-portion and a latch needle-portion extending with and be guidably supported by the inner sinker ring.

11.For use in combination with a circular knitting machineas recited in claim 10, saidlatch needle being olf- Pset outward radially from the needle cylinder to cooper- "ate with an inner sinker ring having an external diameter --larger than the needle cylinder external diameter.

12; For use in the combination recited in claim 10, said latch needle being ofiset inward radially from the needle cylinder to cooperate with an inner sinker ring having an external diameter smaller than the needle cylinder external diameter.

13. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of a first external diameter, an inner sinker ring having an external diameter different from the cylinder external diameter, said cylinder and sinker ring having means therebetween for cooperatively mounting the ring on the cylinder, ..and means on the inner sinker ring for guidably supporting .a needle reaching between the cylinder needle receiving slots to the inner sinker ring.

14. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine as recited in claim 13, said sinker ring having an external diameter greater than the external diameter of the needle cylinder.

15. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine as recited in claim 13, said sinker ring having anexternal diameter less than the external diameter of i the needle cylinder.

16. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine as recited in claim 13, said means for cooperatively mounting the ring on the cylinder forming a detachable connection therebetween.

17. In a circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of one external diameter and also having a peripheral needle guiding and outer sinker ring supporting rim, said rim having needle-receiving slots communicating with the ,cylinder slots, an inner sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder and having an external diameter diiferent from the diameter of the needle cylinder, said inner sinker ring having peripheral needle receiving slots, an outer sinker -'ring mounted on the supporting rim, said needles having :a shank reaching from'the needle slots in the cylinder to cooperate and be guidably supported within the needle receiving slots of the inner sinker ring.

18. In a circular knitting machine having independ- "ently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively inter- .related, a needle cylinder having needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of one .external diameter, an inner sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder having an external diameter different from -the external diameter of the needle cylinder, said inner sinker ring having peripheral needle guiding means, an outer sinker ring concentric and in, spaced cooperative relation to said inner ring, said needles reaching between said needle cylinder and the inner sinker ring, and means on the needle cylinder for supporting the outer sinker ring and for guiding the needles reaching between the needle cylinder and the inner sinker ring peripheral needle guiding means. i

19. In a circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof and a terminal oifset needle receiving recess adjacent to one end thereof, an inner sinker ring on said needle cylinder having peripheral needle supporting slots cooperatively related with the cylinder slots, said inner ring having an external diameter less than the external diameter of said cylinder, a circumferential rim projecting. from the needle cylinder having slots communicating with said cylinder slots for supporting the outer sinker ring.

, 20. In a circular knitting machine having independlently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder hav ng needle-receiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder having a first external diameter, a circumferentially extending rim having slots communicating with the needle-receiving slots of the cylinder, an inner sinker ring having an external diameter difierent from the cylinder external diameter mounted on the cylinder, said inner sinker ring having peripheral needle guiding slots, an outer sinker ring mounted on the rim, and said needles being mounted in the cylinder slots and being guidably supported while reaching between the needle cylinder and the inner sinker ring needle guiding slots through the slots in the rim.

21. The method of converting a circularknitting machine for knitting a fabric of one diameter to knitting a fabric having a difierent diameter, said knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needlereceiving slots about the periphery thereof, said cylinder being of one external diameter, an outersinker ring mounted concentrically about the needle cylinder, and an inner sinker ring having an external diameter, comprising the steps of removing the inner sinker ring from the needle cylinder, removing the needles from the needle cylinder, replacing the inner sinker ring with a sinker ring having a different external diameter, and replacing the removed needles With needles that cooperate with and are guidably supported about the periphery of the replaced inner sinker ring.

22. The method of converting a circular knitting machine from knitting a fabric of one diameter to knitting a fabric of a different diameter, said knitting machine having a needle cylinder with needle-receiving slots circumferentially spaced about the periphery thereof, independently movable needles in said slots and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, an inner sinker ring having an external diameter detachably mounted on the needle cylinder, and an outer sinker ring supported concentrically about the needle cylinder for receiving and supporting sinkers for radial reciprocation which comprises the step of removing the inner sinker ring having an external diarneter of one dimension with an inner sinker ring having an external diameter of a different dimension.

23. The method of converting a circular knitting machine from knitting a fabric of one diameter to knitting a fabric having a different diameter, said knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needle-receiving slots about the external periphery thereof, an inner and an outer sinker ring mounted on the needle cylinder in spaced concentric relation therewith, said inner sinker ring having an external diameter, comprising the steps of removing at least the inner sinker ring and needles, replacing the inner sinker ring with one having a diiferent external diameter, and replacing the removed needles with needles which cooperate with the replaced different external diameter inner sinker. ring.

24. The method of converting a circular knitting machine from knitting a fabric of one diameter to knitting a fabric having a different diameter, said knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers cooperatively interrelated, a needle cylinder having needlereceiving slots about the periphery thereof, with the cylinder being of one external diameter, an outer sinker ring mounted in spaced concentric relation to the needle cylinder, and an inner sinker ring having an external diameter,

comprising the steps of replacing the inner sinker ring with one having adifierent external diameter, and replacing the needles with needles which cooperate with the replaced different external diameter inner sinker ring.

25. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with a needle-receiving slotted periphery and inner andouter sinker rings, withsaid inner sinker ring having an external diameter different from the external diameter of the needle cylinder, a needle receivable in said cylinder needle-receiving slotted periphery and having an ofiset therein extending the needle between the needle cylinder for supporting engagement with the external periphery of the inner sinker ring.

26. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine having a. needle cylinder with a needle-receiving slotted periphery and inner and outer sinker rings, with said inner sinker ring having an external diameter less than the external diameter of the needle cylinder, a needle having a shank receivable in said cylinder needle-receiving slotted periphery and having an inward radial offset in the shank thereof for extending the needle between the needle cylinder and into supporting engagement with the external periphery of the inner sinker ring.

27. For use in combination with a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with a needle-receiving slotted periphery and inner and outer sinker rings, said inner sinker ring having an external diameter greater than the external diameter of the needle cylinder, a needle slidably receivable in said cylinder needle-receiving slot-ted periphery and having an outward radial offset in the shank thereof for extending the needle between the needle cylinder and into supporting engagement with the external periphery of the inner sinker ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,148,263 Swinglehurst July 27, 1915 1,150,547 Scott Aug. 17, 1915 2,201,905 Larkin May 21, 1940 

